APC Shifts Presidential Primary to May 23, 2026, as Party Releases Revised Election Timetable

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rescheduled its presidential primary election to May 23, 2026, moving it from the previously proposed May 15–16 dates, the party announced on Thursday.

The party’s Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko, disclosed the changes after the 186th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja. According to Meseko, the adjustments comply with the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) revised timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Under the new schedule, the governorship primaries will now hold on May 21, 2026.

The sale of nomination forms will run from April 25 to May 2, 2026, with a submission deadline of May 4, 2026.

Screening of aspirants is scheduled as follows:

1· May 6–8, 2026: House of Assembly, House of Representatives, Senate, and Governorship aspirants

2· May 9, 2026: Presidential aspirants

Screening results will be published on May 11, 2026, while screening appeals will be heard on May 12–13, 2026.

Primary election date:

a· May 15, 2026: House of Representatives

b· May 18, 2026: Senate
· May 20, 2026: State House of Assembly

c· May 21, 2026: Governorship

d· May 23, 2026: Presidential

Post-primary appeals are slated for May 18 (Reps), May 20 (Senate), May 21 (Assembly), May 23 (Governorship), and May 25 (Presidential).

Meseko also released a schedule for ward, local government area (LGA), and state congresses in Zamfara State, beginning April 28, 2026. Ward congresses will hold on April 30, followed by LGA congresses, while state congresses are to wrap up by May 3, 2026, with appeals running concurrently.

The NWC adopted both direct primary and consensus options as provided in the Electoral Act 2026.

“Aspirants are free to decide their preference. Where consensus works, it stands. Where an aspirant disagrees, it automatically reverts to direct primaries,” Meseko said.

He dismissed claims that nomination forms would be restricted to select individuals, stating: “Forms are available for all aspirants under the APC, not exclusively reserved for anyone.”

INEC has fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, and Governorship/State Assembly polls for February 6, 2027. Party primaries must hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Campaigns for presidential and NASS elections will begin on August 19, 2026, while governorship and assembly campaigns start on September 9, 2026.

The APC said state chapters were notified of the changes on April 20.